The Sue Moloney Memorial Cup Game: 14^th May 2006

Harlequin Ladies & Old Girls 40 – Hampstead Ladies 15

On a Summer’s evening in 1998, I arrived at the Stoop Memorial Ground for the first time, and looked out on the old training pitch. A group of girls were milling around, but there was no sign of the two girls who had invited me down: Invited me to become a Harlequin Lady.

There was a taller girl who seemed quite friendly, and looked as though she knew what she was doing, so it was her that I approached and introduced myself to. She made me feel very welcome, introduced me to the coach, and explained anything I was unsure of. This girl looked after me, not just in my first training session, for a sport I had never tried before, but throughout my first season.

She was my first captain, and she made me feel safe. She promised that when I took the ball into contact, all I had to do was go to ground, present the ball and cover my head, then my team mates would be there to support me. She gave me great confidence and she always made a point of looking out for new people and really helping them become part of the team. That girl was Sue Moloney.

As well as being 2^nd XV Captain, Sue was also instrumental in setting up the Harlequin Ladies Youth Team. Many of today’s senior players, as well as several emerging international players, played their first rugby for our youth team.

It was a great shock when Sue died from meningitis in 2000, but each year we remember her, and her commitment to ladies’ rugby, through the memorial cup game. This year was no exception, and last Sunday saw the Harlequin Ladies join force with the old girls to play against Hampstead. In my last game as 1^st XV Captain, I asked the team to play in the way that Sue always had; to play for each other, look after each other and to really enjoy their rugby. The team did both myself and Sue proud, playing some of their best free-flowing rugby of the season, and running in eight trys.

I would like to say a special thank you to the Hampstead Ladies, for making themselves available at the end of a very busy season, and for playing such a positive and clean game. Their team spirit added greatly to our special day, and we look forward to playing them again next season.

Finally, great thanks to the Prince Albert Pub in Whitton, for their generous hospitality, to Twickenham RFC and our superb match officials, and to Sue’s family and friends for making the day a great success.

Jo Everett

1^st XV Captain 2005-06